We begin with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s August 4, 1965 speech at Baptist Temple in Philadelphia, as part of his Freedom Now tour, just days before President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. That brings us to the pastor of Baptist Temple, Mr. Russell Herman Conwell (1843-1925), whose evening classes tutoring the working poor of North Philly led to the founding of Temple College, known today as Temple University. Mr. Conwell is famous the world over for his “Acres of Diamonds” lecture; he used funds from presenting that speech more than 6,000 times to fuel the early growth and expansion of Temple University.
Radio speaker and author Earl Nightingale (1921-1989) then further amplifies Mr. Conwell’s “Acre of Diamonds” lecture and adds his own success tips, including: 1. You are, at this moment, standing in the middle of your own acre of diamonds. 2. Seek the opportunities in the work you’re doing. 3. See your work as an opportunity for growth and development. 4. Develop “intelligent objectivity” about your job. 5. Start now to become a student of your industry. 6. To become a professional, study: a) your company and its history; b) your job and your next career step; and c) people skills. 7. Think of ways to increase your contribution to: a) your company; b) your industry; and c) those whom you serve. 8. Create rather than compete. 9. Explore the work you’re currently engaged in. 10. Realize that your own pasture is green and unlimited. 11. The way you go about your job makes it good or bad. 12. Let yourself grow – avoid self-limitation. 13. Start preparing yourself for opportunities – NOW. 14. Put your imagination to work on ways of improving what you’re now doing. 15. Learn all you can about your job, your company and your industry. 16. There’s no limit to your growth potential. 17. Our economy needs and will reward the uncommon person who participates in its growth. 18. Build your library of reference material on your company, industry, your job and people skills. 19. Set aside an hour a day for study and research. 20. Remember the story of the “Acres of Diamonds.”
So, let’s get into it.